My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin

Ed Night, a British stand-up comedian acclaimed for his dark humor and political satire, shares his comedic journey from acting to stand-up. He reflects on the challenges of live performance and how social media shapes comedians' images. The conversation shifts to nostalgic gaming experiences with classics like 'The Legend of Zelda' and 'Dragon Ball Z Budokai 3,' intertwining gaming with his comedy roots. Night also discusses the evolving landscape of comedy, the rise of DIY projects, and memorable performances at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Cabel Sasser, co-founder of the indie studio Panic, shares insights from his journey in the tech world, including his role in developing the innovative Playdate console. He reminisces about the emotional challenges and collaborative spirit behind its creation. Cabel also dives into his childhood nostalgia for the Atari 2600 and the enchantment of classic games like 'Conker's Bad Fur Day.' The discussion touches on the evolution of gaming culture and the unique features that set Playdate apart, blending creative passion with a love for gaming.

Peter Whalen is a game designer and creative lead known for his work at the intersection of strategy, storytelling, and competitive play. After graduating from Princeton with a degree in Mathematics, he earned his doctorate in algorithms at Georgia Tech. He then began his career in video games, first at Blizzard, where he was a senior designer on Hearthstone. He then moved to Riot Games, where he now serves as the Game Director for Teamfight Tactics, Riot’s ambitious chess-like game set in the world of League of Legends. With a deep background in systems design and a love for games that reward smart, skilful play, he’s helped shape some of the most beloved and finely tuned experiences in digital card gaming and beyond.Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ray Chase is an American voice actor whose range and versatility have made him one of the most recognisable voices across anime, video games, and audiobooks. Known for bringing to life characters such as Noctis in Final Fantasy XV, Bruno Bucciarati in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Cyclops in Xmen ’97, and Zukuna in Jujutsu Kaisen, he has also voiced major titles like Genshin Impact, Persona 5, and Demon Slayer. After a career spanning everything from gritty protagonists to eccentric sidekicks, he’s now entered the director’s chair for a video game of his own. Date Everything is a romance game in which you can date 100 objects from your house, including your shower, the couch, a grand piano, even a videogame console. And each item, of course, is voiced by a beloved actor.Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robbie is a studio head with one of the most unusual origin stories in the games industry. A former content creator and streamer, he fell in love with Paragon, the ambitious MOBA from Epic Games—so much so that when Epic closed the game in 2018, he refused to let it die. With no prior game development experience and no plans to enter the industry, he founded Omeda Studios and set out to rebuild and evolve the game alongside its passionate community. The result was Predecessor, a fresh take on the MOBA genre. In just a few years, the game has developed a vibrant fanbase, while the studio has transformed from a grassroots effort into a serious player in the industry, proving that a community-driven approach can take on even the giants.Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode, five My Perfect Console supporters share the games they would like to put on their ideal, fictional games machine, and the reasons behind their choices.If you would like to share your console with the My Perfect Console audience, head to this post for more details.Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest today is a Ukrainian game developer, entrepreneur, and one of the most respected community-builders in the video games industry. After graduating from East Ukrainian Volodymyr Dahl National University with a Master's in Computer Science she began her career in mobile game development. She founded initiatives such as Achievers Hub and Global Games Pitch, platforms that connect indie developers with publishers, investors, and collaborators around the world.Since then, she’s become a tireless advocate for emerging studios, a sought-after speaker at international conferences, and a passionate voice for the Ukrainian game dev scene—especially in the face of extraordinary geopolitical challenges. Whether mentoring new talent or championing indie creators on the global stage, she’s played a vital role in shaping a more connected, inclusive industry. Links:Global Games PitchGame Dev Under BombsFoyles Book Event for Orwell PrizeBecome a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Simon is joined by Glenn Moore for today's Game Club episode discussing the game we've been playing throughout May, former guest of the show Lucas Pope's Return of the Obra Dinn.Throughout the month, Glenn, Simon, and many of you, the listeners, have been playing through the modern classic puzzle game, as chosen by comedy writer Joel Morris on his episode of My Perfect Console.Glenn and Simon discuss their experiences with the game, why the board above Glenn's desk makes him look like a serial killer, Simon's experiences with Elden Ring: Nightreign, and much more.NOTE: This bonus episode is one of the benefits you receive for being a Patreon supporter. Sign up at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole to listen to all of the Game Club episodes, past and future.Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bennett Foddy, a game designer and moral philosopher, shares insights into his journey from obscurity to fame with his infamous games like QWOP and Getting Over It. He explores the emotional depths of gaming, emphasizing the balance between challenge and engagement. Foddy reflects on his childhood gaming experiences, the impact of indie games, and the evolution of game design. The discussion also touches on the cyclical nature of the industry and the importance of community in indie development, alongside his struggles between music and academics.

Tomm Hulett is a game designer and director who has spent his career championing bold, narrative-driven experiences. While at Konami, he worked on multiple Silent Hill titles, including Book of Memories, a critically acclaimed reimagining of the franchise. On the internet, however, his name became linked with the struggles of later Silent Hill games. This made him the target of intense online harassment—even though many of the series’ creative decisions were out of his hands. Since he left Konami, more than a decade ago, he has worked on beloved cult titles like Contra: Operation Galuga and Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. Today he continues to push storytelling in games in new and unexpected directions as a direct at the California-based studio WayForward Technologies. Mythri GBC SoundtrackMythri GBC Demo RomBecome a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.